Cane Creek Cycling to add 55 new jobs

Cane Creek rider James Ritchie flies down the road as he starts the Friday July 22, 2005 time trial on NC 251 near Marshall. The race is the first stage of the French Broad Cylcling Classic, which continues with a road race Saturday and a Criterium on Sunday.(Photo: Steve Dixon)

FLETCHER – Cane Creek Cycling Components plans to double its workforce in the next four years, adding 55 new workers to create new bike components.

The private company plans to invest over $1 million, adding equipment to innovate new products for a highly competitive market. "Everything is getting lighter, stronger and faster," said Holly Colson, Cane Creek's director of marketing.

The company originally started in Fletcher in 1974 as Dia-Compe, a Japanese-owned brake maker. A group of employees saw options for other parts and new designs. In 1991, they bought the firm and started manufacturing the original front-fork suspension system, revolutionizing the sport of mountain biking.

The company found a new identity, making its name from the creek in its backyard and the blue skink logo of the lizard native to Cane Creek.

Cane Creek currently employs 43 workers.

The company earned its reputation for innovation, introducing the threadless headset or handlebars. Without having to cut threads into a frame, bikes could be made lighter and stronger with new composite materials such as carbon fiber.

Engineers are currently experimenting with 3-D printing, making many of their own tools as they pioneer new advances in bicycling.

Colson said Cane Creek components are found on road bikes competing in the Tour de France as well as top competitions for mountain biking.

Colson said the company faced a hard decision whether to expand manufacturing in Taiwan or bring more jobs to its Fletcher plant. Local support made the difference, she said.

Henderson County Commissioners held a public hearing Wednesday on approving $31,854 in incentives for Cane Creek over the next seven years, provided they meet job targets. The town of Fletcher approved $13,954 in incentives over the same period, looking ahead to collect additional tax revenues from the company.

"Fletcher has been fortunate with a fair number of industry expansions," said Mark Bieberkoff, Fletcher town manager. "It's nice to see more 'Made in America' labels when we can."